Who has Saddam Hussein gassed/invaded/fired missiles at in 2003?
That's answering a question with a question, nevertheless I believe he fired missiles at our planes enforcing the no fly zones (maybe it was 2002.)
Anyway, it is more moral to do business with Saudi Arabia whose theocratic totalitarianism is domestic and cynical, than a meglomanic with a history of mass murder, aggression, support for terror and dreams of becoming a nuclear power.
I don't expect governments -- yours, mine or anyone's -- to behave like saints, but there should be an expectation among societies that recognize the rule of law and the undesirablilty of violence to condemn and isolate those nations that seek to export violence and expand their power. Iraq falls into that category and the Saudis don't.
What's most upsetting about France is that their leadership's defense of Hussein seemed more for their own benefit than their nation's.
What about the business of America with Saddam Hussein during the 80ties??! He was already a mass murderer, he used mustard gas on Iranians and he dreamt about becoming a nuclear power but you guys were giving him even intelligence infos since it was suitable for you that he attacked the Iranians. Or - to give you another example - what is about Pakistan, one of your closest allies in the WOT??! They are already a nuclear power. The US reaction on their first test series wasn't that impressive although their millitary dictatorship (that is no "new" democracy) is extremely instable, agressive (India, Afghanistan) and opressive.
To criticise the French for their business with Iraq before 2003 is really two-faced.
I don't expect governments -- yours, mine or anyone's -- to behave like saints, but there should be an expectation among societies that recognize the rule of law and the undesirablilty of violence to condemn and isolate those nations that seek to export violence and expand their power. Iraq falls into that category and the Saudis don't.
I read in a German magazine that the Saudis are thinking about invading parts of southern Iraq from the moment the Americans are leaving the region.